Do you ever wonder if God is really the king of your life? We say it, we like to think it, but is it really true? And if it’s not true for us, the mom and dad, then how can we set the example for our kids? How do we show them what it looks like?!

So first let’s make sure we know why this is important. Does it really matter? (Hang with me here, I’m making a point. I haven’t lost my mind.) We have to always make sure we know what is right before we do it. If we are tight with the truth then we will have an easier time knowing if we are on the right track. (See? I told you I was getting somewhere.)

All through the Bible we are reminded that God is in control.

Job 22:10 “In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”He holds everything in His hands!

Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”He makes the decisions!

Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”He has no limits!

We like to think we have control, but it’s an illusion. I know for me, I tend to forget that He holds the reigns and I start stressing when things don’t go “my way.” This is a sure sign that I am not believing God is the king of my life. I get messages and emails from other moms who struggle with feeling like their life is out of control. I’m sure it is! That’s when god does His best work.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” He tells us not to fear, but to trust Him!

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”We simply can’t fully comprehend His ways and need to accept that without complaining!

Romans 9:21 “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?”We don’t get to choose what He gives to us, but it is all for our good and His glory!

So how do we really know if we are letting go and giving God the high place of king in our life? Here are a few more verses to show us the way.

If we are feeling anxious, then we are not giving Him the place He should have in our life. It shows we are like the world and shouldn’t be. Matthew 6:31-32 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.“

If we think we are wise, then we are not letting God be the king of our life. Our wisdom is empty and only leads to folly.We need to let go of our own ideas and follow Him. Proverbs 3:8 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

If we are not continually renewing our minds then we are likely slipping into thinking we are the king of our own life. We MUST constantly allow ourselves to be transformed! Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Let’s move beyond our insecurity and our past and help each other put God where He belongs in our lives. We have to do this very purposely, day by day, minute by minute. The reality is that He is king whether we acknowledge it or not. It is OUR life that gets better when we die to self and honor Him. Here are a few final tips for showing your children that making God the king of your life will be the best gift you ever give them.

No matter what is happening, be joyful. Life gets hard for everyone. We all carry scars and have the natural tendency to protect ourselves from more hurt. But what if we let that go by giving it to God and trusting Him. There was a time that my family was under attack by people who used to be our friends. It was intensely painful. However, I kept my eye on what God does and not what those people could do and constantly reminded the children that I trusted God even when life got really hard. We danced and praised and played games and enjoyed life regardless of what was going on.

Stay in the Word! I can’t stress it enough. Reading the Bible every day and memorizing verses is KEY to giving God His place on the throne in your life. I keep a list on my phone of favorite verses and when friends send me a verse I add it to the list. And let your kids have a Bible to read for themselves. One that’s perfect for this is the King of Everything Bible. It’s filled with amazing photographs of animals and nature that will show kids the majesty of God.

Look up…not out! Every time I feel a niggling thought of anxiety or one of those moments that I feel like I can’t handle, I tell myself to look up to the throne instead of the circumstances. It’s like when someone is walking on a rope across a grand cavern and they are told, “Don’t look down!” That’s the same thing we do when we focus on the circumstances around us instead of God. Just look at Him and think on His love for you and let Him give you wisdom and peace.

One thing I have learned along this journey of life is that there is peace when I let go of my own ways and give everything to God. He is the true King, the one who watches over me and cares for me more than I can even understand. So why do I hang on to my mess? I don’t know, but I am sure gonna keep turning back to the One Who repairs the mess and turns it to good.

YOUR TURN!

Is God the king of YOUR life?! If you’re not sure, find a Christian friend or pastor to talk to about it. Or message me….I’d love to pray with you!

Lisa Pennington lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband of 27 years and their 9 children. She homeschools while trying to figure out how to run their little farm with no real knowledge of how to care for goats or grow a garden, turning her life into a comedy of errors. When she has a few extra minutes, she loves to help other women find their identity in Christ and have the courage to live their calling. She blogs about her family life at The Pennington Point, and runs an etsy shop with her daughters, Shop 24, . When people ask how she does it all she replies, “I’m not sure, but I know I need a nap!” You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @PenningtonPoint.

About Lisa Pennington

Lisa Pennington lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband of 27 years and their 9 children. She homeschools while trying to figure out how to run their little farm with no real knowledge of how to care for goats or grow a garden, turning her life into a comedy of errors. When she has a few extra minutes, she loves to help other women find their identity in Christ and have the courage to live their calling. She blogs about her family life at The Pennington Point, and runs an etsy shop with her daughters, Shop 24, . When people ask how she does it all she replies, “I’m not sure, but I know I need a nap!” You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @PenningtonPoint.

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